Berry picker



NOV. 4, 1930. H E. CARR v [1,780,376

BERRY PICKER Filed NOV. 6,. 1929 Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES HELENA-E. CARR, OF HARRISON, MONTANA BERRY PICKER Application filed November 6, 1929. Serial No. 405,088.

This invention relates to berry pickers and more particularly to a device for picking gooseberries, currants and the like.

The main object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient device which may be worn upon the hand and which will serve v to protect the hand from the thorns upon the berry bushes as well as facilitate the easy and rapid picking of the berries.

Another object is to provide a means for holding the leaves of the vbush out of the way so that the leaves will not become mixed with the picked berries.

Another object is to provide a device which is so constructed and worn on the hand that the berries when picked will dro-p into the hand wearing the berry picker thus leaving the other hand of the user free.

The foregoing and other objects together 2o with means whereby the same may be carried into effect will best be understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing where- Figure l is a plan View of the berry picker, the same being shown as placed upon the hand illustrated in broken lines.

Figure 2 is a side view of the berry picker;

3c and Figure 3 is an inverted plan view of the same.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing I provide a frame l comprising a strip of suitable material bent edgewise into substantially a U-shape but having its legs bent inwardly and one leg preferably though not necessarily extended somewhat longer than the other as shown at 2. To the upper side of this frame l is secured the inner margin of an outer protecting flange or apron 8 which is curved outwardly and downwardly from the frame. An inner flange 4 is secured to the underside of the frame and extends downwardly therefrom in spaced relationship to the outer flange 3, the said inner flange 4 being relatively narrow except adjacent the end of the sho-rter leg of the frame l where it is enlarged or widened as designated at 5. A ce plurality of prongs 6 are extended upwardly in spaced relationship from the frame l and are inclined inwardly as shown, those prongs i' upon the longer leg 2 of the frame being longer than the prongs 8 upon the shorter leg for a purpose to be described. In use the device is grasped by the hand in the manner shown in Figure l, the thumb and fingers entering into the cleft between the outer and inner flanges 3 and 4L and grasping the inner flange. The palm ofthe hand is thus cupped to provide a receptacle for the berries as they are picked, the enlarged portion 5 of the inner flange 4 serving to close the gap between the thumb and forefmger and the extended leg 2 with its 65 flange extending back adjacent the base of the thumb to prevent the escape of the berries. In picking the berries, the picker is Vpassed sideways across the branch bearing the berries, the longer prongs 7 pushing and 70 holding back the leaves and the shorter prongs 8 pulling or snapping the berries from their stems as will be readily understood. The berries when picked drop into the palm of the hand as aforesaid and they may then be deposited in any suitable receptacle. The outer flange or apron 3 covers the thumb and finger and protects them from thorns.

It is obvious that my device will greatly so facilita-te the rapid, efficient and convenient picking of berries of different kinds.

l/Vhile I have herein set forth a certain preferred embodiment of my invention it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor details so as best to construct a practical device for the purposes intended, not departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a device of the kind described, a substantially U-shaped frame, an outer protecting flange secured to the frame and curved outwardly and downwardly therefrom, an inner flange extended downwardly from the frame and having an enlarged portion adjacentV one end, and spaced upwardly and inwardly extended prongs secured to the frame.

2. In a device of the kind described, a substantially U-shaped frame, an outer protecting iange secured to the frame and curved outwardly and downwardly therefrom, an inner angeextended downwardly from the frame and having an enlarged portion adjacent one end, and spaced upwardly and inwardly extended prongs secured to the frame, the prongs upon one leg of the U-shaped frame being longer than the prongs upon the other leg of the frame.

In testimony whereof I aiX my signature.

HELENA E. CARR. 

